Council to make decision on Orange Lodge opening parade in Stonehaven

A council is to make a decision on whether a parade to celebrate the opening of an Orange Lodge in Stonehaven will be allowed to go ahead.

Members of the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland have outlined plans to march from Stonehaven Town Hall, in Allardice Street, to Dunnottar Cemetery on March 16 at 2pm.

A petition has since been launched online calling for the event, described by petition organisers as “deeply rooted in sectarianism”, to be stopped.

The notice of procession application sent to the local authority reveals that around 200 people are likely to take part in the march.

Kincardine and Mearns area committee will meet on March 5 to consider the application.

An Aberdeenshire Council spokesperson said: “A notice of permission to hold a public procession in Stonehaven on March 16 is to be brought before the Kincardine & Mearns Area Committee on Tuesday, March 5, for consideration.

“Should the committee decide enough information about the procession has been provided, members will be asked to determine whether to impose conditions, whether to prohibit the procession, or whether to take no action at all.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson added: “We are aware of the planned Orange Lodge march in Stonehaven on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

“Our policing operation will be proportionate and focused on public safety, as well as working closely with partners to reduce disruption to the wider community.”